The United States and France issued a joint request for a 21-day cease-fire along the Israel-Lebanon border on Wednesday. The goal is to allow time for negotiations toward a more lasting peace deal between Israel and Hezbollah.

The United States is working to broker a short-term cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah in the hopes that it could avert a wider war.

"The situation between Lebanon and Israel since October 8th, 2023 is intolerable and presents an unacceptable risk of a broader regional escalation," the joint statement said. "Thus we call for an immediate 21 day ceasefire across the Lebanon-Israel border to provide space for diplomacy towards the conclusion of a diplomatic settlement,

US, France lead call for 'immediate' 21-day cease-fire across the Lebanon-Israel border as threat of wider war looms

France proposed a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon during a UN session, aiming for negotiations amid rising casualties from Israeli strikes on Hezbollah. The US and France seek to prevent escalation, while Israel remains firm on its objectives against Hezbollah despite calls for diplomacy.